What's interesting to us is that almost all of the games that make up the 16 finalists are sequels, video game versions of existing franchises ("The Walking Dead" comes to mind), spiritual successors or spinoffs of existing franchises. Bioshock is the spiritual successor of "System Shock 2," while "Red Dead Redemption" is an offshoot of "Red Dead Revolver." The only game to make the top 17 that was a brand new franchise is "The Last of Us."

What do you think of "Skyrim" being named as the best game of this generation? Do you agree? Why or why not? What game do you think is the best of this generation? Sound off in the comments below.